My Chickens are not Pets!

[mommyofthreewithchicks]

We are raising our birds for multiple reasons. 1. I like eggs 2. we like meat 3. I am getting enjoyment out of seeing my kids with the animals

I know the roosters in this lot are all deemed for the freezer. I know that some of the chicks that I will be getting any day will also be going to the freezer as well. It is a fact of life. We have named a few of the birds we know we will be eating- I choose to close my eyes to this fact. I know that when it comes to saying goodbye to a few of these birds I will cry.

That being said, I have cried over the beef cows my grandpa raised-I named a few over the years. I think it is a good thing to teach my children where our food comes from. I think it is a good thing to teach my children that even animals that will be food one day deserve good treatment and even perhaps love.

And even though I know that my birds will become meat one day I am unsure if I will be able to handle killing them myself. We will see- I have told both my hubby and father that I don't butcher and won't participate so they know this up front. Dad has assured me that he remembers well how to do it and will do it for us. That being said my young children won't be around that day to see the event. Perhaps when they get a bit older they can see the process of killing a chicken--- Perhaps 10. They are 7 and under right now.

 

[SeaHen]

My chickens are pets. I don't judge or condemn those who raise animals humanely for meat, but I disagree that they were created for the sole purpose of feeding and serving us. My view and fervent belief is that animals do have souls and are already redeemed because of their purity and innocence. Being charged with "dominion" over animals means using our intelligence and compassion to care for and watch over them. I'm baffled by the concept that everything on the planet was put here for us to USE.

 

[bobbi-j]

Quote:
I don't understand this at all, as long as you aren't selling it to someone or feeding it to someone other than family, I have never heard of a law that doesn't allow you to do that on your own property?

I have, Knoxville is trying to pass a law now to allow people in the city to own chickens, the rules are if it comes into effect is you can only have 1 chicken per so many square feet, only have hens, can't sell eggs for profit, and you can't cull your chickens. It was in the knoxville newspaper so I'm pretty sure its accurate information.

Just curious - what would stop a person from taking them out of the city to butcher them? Like at a friend or relative's farm or other place? Even a processor?

 

[clothdiaperingmom]

I have heard of towns having that law. Stupid stupid....and stupid that the citizens allow those laws.

And Im wondering what would stop someone from doing it in their yard anyway. How is anyone to know how many chickens you did have and what you have after butchering? The town keeping inventory on the chickens??
Thats just craziness!!

 

[mgw]

I grew up on a farm/ranch I had the chore of butchuring chickens time to time from the age of nine. now we live in a small town & just started a small flock. I dont think that I will butcher any of our chickens. becouse we bought them for breakfast & not dinner.

 

[sablevulpe]

Quote:
I'm really glad I came across this topic... I am starting my first flock, primarily layers, with the Roos destined for the freezer. I was feeling a bit brutal knowing I am doing my best NOT to name the chickens, because I know where their final destination lies: my table, sooner or later. If all goes well with this first flock, I hope to start a meat flock next year. I have had a gradual "awakening" to take more responsibility for my place on the earth, especially my food. I am gardening as organically as possible, canning, freezing... it was a logical step to try producing protein. The chickens are treated with care and respect, and in return they give me entertainment and food. When the fall comes, a friend who has experience with butchering birds is going to show me how to go through the process. I am going to hold myself to the experience, and if I believe I can do it efficiently and humanely, I will take on that responsibility too. I think that giving them a good death is as important as giving them a good life, so I will have to see if I am up to the task; however, I will not do them the justice of a good, clean death if I am too emotionally worked up. Time will tell, but I am so glad to see there is a community out there that understands how important it is to give our food good lives, and many of us who also endorse giving them an equally good death to further their purpose.

 

[silkienewbiegurl]

I am one of those that have 3 hens as pets and for eggs and their coop is nicer than my house! If I had a farm, I would have no issue keeping meat chickens and look forward to the day I can live sustainably. I am setting up my garden so my chickies will till and fertilize my raised garden beds while in a chicken tractor. I use my tomatoes in the same way! They LOVE tomatoes!

 

[stanglover2001]

Quote:
I don't think anything would stop a person butchering outside of city limits and bringing it back in. The rule is more along the lines to prevent other people living next to you seeing you butcher your chickens (not everyone can stomach it or believe in killing animals, think along the lines of animal rights). You've got to remember how people are when they see blood and how they freak out over children seeing stuff like that

. I live out in the country and I still have to let my neighbor know when I'm going to be butchering (she doesn't want her kids to see) and I respect her by doing it in the woods and telling her I'm doing it. But shes okay with buying and eating the chicken I butcher, she just doesn't want to see the chickens die.

 

[TheMainException]

Quote:
I kinda agree with you there. I do think we were meant to care for the planet, but I do think everything is here for us ALL (animals included) to use. Should we eat animals? We don't necessarily have to, but animals eat animals, so I consider it to be okay when seen in that aspect. When I'm raising animals, I'm serving them. I watch over them and protect them from predators not just because I purchased them and would like to consume their eggs, but also because I feel responsible for their safety. I don't consider them as equals, but I'm not sure they are soul-less either.

 

[TheMainException]

Quote:
I kinda agree with you there. I do think we were meant to care for the planet, but I do think everything is here for us ALL (animals included) to use. Should we eat animals? We don't necessarily have to, but animals eat animals, so I consider it to be okay when seen in that aspect. When I'm raising animals, I'm serving them. I watch over them and protect them from predators not just because I purchased them and would like to consume their eggs, but also because I feel responsible for their safety. I don't consider them as equals, but I'm not sure they are soul-less either.